30 years ago, on 1 April 1988, the plan for our first sailboat, Le Ponant, was taking shape.
We have made so many magnificent journeys since then, and have come such a long way!
From Antarctica to the Amazon River, from Disko Bay to the magical Aldabra atoll, from the Panama Canal to the distant shores of New Zealand…
Every day, our guests are transported around the world, to exceptional locations on all seven continents.
Today, on our anniversary, let’s look back together on some memories from these unforgettable years!
For 30 years, PONANT cruises have been offering wonderful getaways. Sailing aboard our ships means experiencing exceptional moments very close to nature, in the heart of untouched landscapes and locations that combine dreams and authenticity. It means discovering other cultures and traditions and sharing meaningful experiences with local people from the other side of the world. It means experiencing the magic of a PONANT moment…
YOU, TOO, EXPERIENCE PONANT MOMENTS!
Every day, our guests take us all around the world by sharing the most beautiful memories from their time on board.
My most beautiful moment was opening my curtains in my stateroom at 3 o’clock in the morning and seeing these magnificent pink-purple icebergs after two days at sea sailing the Drake Passage. It was breathtaking, sublime, magical, exceptional! I have only one wish and that is to return there as soon as possible. It was the trip of a lifetime and you, PONANT, were a huge part of that MAGIC!
Dominique H.
It was fabulous! It was the most beautiful cruise I have ever been lucky enough to take.
Christiane H.
We took a cruise on Le Lyrial this year, what can we say: fabulous!!!
Catherine B.
« Le Ponant is a beautiful yacht with thirty-two staterooms and ideal for the itinerary with so much stunning scenery.»
Freid.
I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time and it was a privilege to experience this expedition!
John L.
Have you travelled with PONANT in the last 30 years?
It’s your turn to share your favourite memories!
Today, Ponant is the only French cruise company - and one of the most demanding in the world in terms of safety. On board, the French language takes pride of place with French Captains and Hotel Directors and a bilingual crew speaking both French and English.
With 20 years of experience in both the Arctic and the Antarctic, today Ponant is the world leader in polar cruises and the only French shipowner with 4 ships that are state-of-the-art in terms of safety and Glace C1 certified, meeting very specific international standards.
With its 4 high-tech yachts introduced between 2010 and 2015, Ponant boasts the most modern fleet in the world. The company will also have 7 new ships by 2021: the Ponant Explorers, especially designed for luxury expeditions and equipped with an underwater lounge, as well as a LNG-powered hybrid electric “icebreaker”, a first in the cruising world.
Mooring in the heart of the Mediterranean's hidden coves, sailing between the majestic Antarctic glaciers, expeditions to the fringes of the remote territories of Alaska, or coastal navigation in the Caribbean Sea: we take our guests on a journey of discovery to the most stunning places on earth.
With more than 400 cruises per year, 150 countries, 500 ports, 150 itineraries of which 20 to 30% are renewed each year, as well as countless visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, experts at Ponant plan exceptional trips that are carefully crafted.
Our mythical, original, and less travelled ports of call, sometimes even in the heart of wild and remote areas, guarantee that our guests enjoy cruises of a unique nature.
During most of our stopovers (except for expedition cruises), we give our guests the opportunity to enhance their trip with a broad range of excursions in small groups. Chosen by our experts for the interesting cities, monuments, or natural sites to explore, these excursions are available by pre-booking 2 months before departure.
With only 32 to 132 staterooms, the small capacity of our ships creates a very distinct intimate atmosphere that we carefully maintain to stay true to our philosophy. Their small size and highly technical nature also help us reach the most hidden ports, contrary to the immense vessels of our competitors.
When you choose a Ponant “Expedition” cruise, you are choosing a state of mind: a blend of elegance and authenticity, exploration and total comfort, adventure and refinement. From the Antarctic to Papua New Guinea, Ponant helps you explore unspoiled natural surroundings and ancient cultures, far from well-travelled sea routes.
From the Far North to New Guinea, our cruises introduce you to tribes and ethnic groups that keep the lifestyle and beliefs of their ancestors alive. Accompanied by our guides, our guests experience special moments of sharing among these Inuit or aboriginal communities.
Art of living, service, cuisine, entertainment, spa... Our cruises are designed to be a delightful getaway filled with calm and serenity. Even in the harshest regions, you will find the exceptional conditions of comfort and service that are our trademark.
Carefully selected wines, a refined service, irresistible dishes made with locally bought fresh produce when the destination allows it: every day, explore the delicacies of an exquisitely set table and high-end cuisine prepared by talented chefs.
Veuve Cliquot champagnes, Ducasse Conseil, En-K de Caviar, Fragonard perfumes, toiletries by Hermès, macaroons by Maison Ladurée, Beurre Bordier, and the Palais des Thés: our partners, carefully chosen, share our ambition for excellence à la française.
At Ponant, everything is included in our services: stateroom accommodation, full board, tea, coffee, carefully selected wines served during meals, 24/7 room service, entertainment, and Open Bar. Once on board, enjoy your cruise with complete peace of mind!
All staterooms aboard our ships have a sea views and 95% boast a balcony with outside furniture, so that you can feel like you are on board of your own private yacht.
Our ships are designed to open to the outside as much as possible, allowing our guests to enjoy fabulous views onto the sea. On board, a refined choice of high-quality materials in discreet colours and with soothing tones of taupe, grey, white, and natural wood gives our ships a unique style, both modern and warm, combining comfort, intimacy, and well-being.
Commitment to high quality and our customers' satisfaction are at the heart of our concerns. An impressive 95% of our guests would recommend us to their friends and family!
Regularly awarded for the quality of its services and its unique cruise design, Ponant is recognised every year as one of the best cruise companies in the world.
We give individuals and businesses the opportunity to join existing cruises in groups or to hire the entire ship for any type of private cruise. Whether you are organising a seminar, an evening event, or a wedding party, our ships are an original location to get together, discuss, and share.
Discover a unique cruise philosophy, offering travellers the chance to discover or rediscover iconic destinations. Between traditional villages and ports of call with a rich historical heritage, our guests enjoy rewarding experiences and authentic encounters in the company of our expert guides and speakers.
Music, wine tasting and gastronomy, art and literature, golf: Ponant offers a wide range of themed cruises to combine passions and the love for travelling through itineraries to destinations all around the world.
Particularly committed to protecting the environment, Ponant makes every effort to limit its impact on the planet. With a firm determination to be a leader in this area, every day we pursue a strong ecology policy: using green equipment, “Clean Ship” certified ships, membership of the Blue Charter of the Armateurs de France, training guests in good practices, and more.
For 30 years, our traditionally French sailboat has been seducing travellers with its intimate and friendly atmosphere. With only 32 staterooms, Le Ponant allows you to sail in small groups, among true lovers of the sea and sailing.
The 6 ships in the Ponant Explorers series are the first in the world to be equipped with an underwater lounge, called the Blue Eye, located within the hull below the waterline. Open to all guests, this lounge is an opportunity to discover and experience the subaquatic world, notably through two windows shaped like the eye of a cetacean.
In 2021, the latest addition to Ponant's fleet, a hybrid electric icebreaker powered by liquefied natural gas, will make it possible to reach the geographic North Pole in an elegant setting with luxury services never before offered aboard an icebreaker ship.
Being a loyal customer of Ponant is highly valued. As soon as you book your 2nd cruise, you become part of the Ponant Yacht Club and you can enjoy special attention, exclusive offers both aboard and on land, and the best dedicated offers.
The teams on board our expedition cruises are made up of experts renowned for the accuracy and reliability of their knowledge of extreme environments. Identifying destinations and making preparations in advance, leading our guests and speaking to them throughout the cruises, our expedition leaders are committed to sharing their passion.
In the case of certain destinations that are less accessible by regular airlines, we organise private flights that offer a more direct connection all the while ensuring that you receive a high-quality service.
To ensure that your cruise is a truly personalised trip, Ponant also offers transfers between the airport and the ports where you board and disembark. Pick up from your home and private transfers are also possible.
The glaciers of Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Grand Canyon, safari in South Africa... we visit so many stunning locations that might make you wish to explore further. Our teams at Ponant can extend your trip and relieve you of any organisational tasks thanks to our pre- and post-cruise extensions.
